This spring break season has seen an increase in the numbers of students, teachers, and arts advocates choosing civic engagement over a hedonistic week at the beach. As engagement in the arts for positive impact towards civic engagement and social justice continues to trend up, community building around organizations and practitioners working in social practice becomes increasingly important. Nicole Dowd, Program Director of Halcyon Arts Lab—a newly launched residency and incubator program for artists working in social justice in Washington, DC—shares insights gained from the inaugural year of the program.